To read more about any of these items, click here and scroll down to the specific item. Remember that once you have read all about an agenda item, you can then post your comments to the Council by using the e-Comments tool (again, just scroll down to your item of interest and click on the e-Comment and post your comments).

ADMINISTRATION

SPOTLIGHT ON SAUSALITO’S SEWERS: Addressing Our Crumbling Sewer System On January 28th, the City Council received the most recent update on the urgent needs of the City’s deteriorated, 75-year-old sewer system. City staff is developing a fiscally responsible plan to upgrade to the City’s sewer pipes and infrastructure in order to protect the environment and the health and safety of Sausalito residents. As the Council continues to consider this issue over the coming months, we will keep the community updated on the problems facing our sewer system and the proposed solutions. Keep a lookout for upcoming articles that spotlight the challenges facing Sausalito’s sewers.

Many of the City’s 27 miles of sewer pipes were built in the 1930s and are made of clay, which breaks easily. These crumbling, deteriorated sewer pipes cannot keep hazardous sewage from spilling into our environment and polluting the Bay.

While cities across California are facing similar challenges regarding their deteriorating infrastructure, we have a responsibility to protect the health of local residents and keep the Bay clean. Ensuring we update sewer pipes and infrastructure to properly and safely transport sewage is essential to maintaining a healthy, safe community. It is the right thing to do.

The City has done everything it can to reduce sewage spills that pollute our environment. Because of our concentrated focus on sewer maintenance and repairs over the last five years, the city has been able to significantly reduce spills of raw sewage. This ongoing maintenance has kept our sewers in compliance with a 2008 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Order, avoiding tens of thousands of dollars in fines.

But spills of raw sewage are still too frequent. We need significant upgrades to our sewer pipes and infrastructure to continue to comply with the EPA’s order and clean water requirements – and prevent future spills of raw sewage, protecting our waterways, beaches and the Bay.

To learn more about the City’s planning efforts on this important environmental and health issue, you can view the presentation which was before the City Council on January 28 by clicking here; or click on the PowerPoint Presentation to view just that document.

LIBRARY

Carnival of the Animals, Performed by the Fratello Marionettes Wednesday, February 12 - 3:45pm, Council Chambers

Three classic tales—the 'Three Little Pigs', the 'Tortoise and the Hare', and the 'Ugly Duckling'—are performed to the score 'Carnival of the Animals' by Camille Saint-Saen. The Fratello Marionettes are Sausalito favorites—not to be missed!

New Book Discussion Group for Adults at Sausalito Library
2nd Tuesdays starting March 11th - 7:00pm in the Friends Bookstore

The Sausalito Library is pleased to announce the addition of a new book discussion group for adults, "Contemporary Classics." Facilitated by local author Peg Alford Pursell, the group meets the second Tuesday of each month in the Friends Bookstore (2nd floor of Sausalito City Hall, 420 Litho Street), 7-8:00pm. Our first meeting is on Tuesday, March 11th and the book is "We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves" by Karen Joy Fowler. Please contact the library at 415-289-4121 to register. Participation is free.

PARKS AND RECREATION

Valentine’s Day Daddy Daughter (Age 3-6) Dance - Friday, February 14 from 4:40 pm - 6:30 pm
Reserve Valentine’s Day for the little girls in your life. Our DJ will run you and your daughters through some basic dance moves before turning on the music and beginning a magical evening. Punch and cookie refreshments are available and each daughter receives a photograph keepsake and a corsage.

This event is being sponsored by the Sausalito Lions Club, with photography by Gina Risso Studios and the proceeds will benefit the Robin Sweeny Park Rehabilitation Project.

Pre-Registration only – No Day Of Ticket Sales due to corsage pre-order requirement. The cost is $30.00 for Sausalito Residents and $35.00 for Non-Residents (Add $15 for each additional daughter). To register, call Parks and Recreation 289.4152.

The Caledonia Street Festival - SAVE THE DATE: MAY 25, 2014
Remember, this is an event to celebrate the character, history and importance of Caledonia Street as well as our wonderful Sausalito community. Artistic highlights include craft and art booths, live music entertainment and street performers. But right now, we're calling out to interested artists and sponsors. If you want to participate, read on:

Caledonia Street Festival Call to Artists! If you want to enjoy the Caledonia Street Festival from the inside, apply to be a fine art or craft vendor! Artist Applications for the 2014 Caledonia Street Festival are now being accepted. Download online at www.caledoniastreetfestival.com.

Caledonia Street Festival Call to Sponsors! If you want to support the Caledonia Street Festival from the inside, apply to be a sponsor of this fantastic community event. Applications for the 2014 Caledonia Street Festival are now being accepted. Download online at www.caledoniastreetfestival.com.

JAZZ & BLUES BY THE BAY SPONSHORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Jazz & Blues Sponsorships are a great opportunity to showcase your business and demonstrate support for the local community. Now that our Jazz & Blues by the Bay concerts have become a legendary local favorite, make sure that you plan ahead and have a chance to be a part of this great legand as a sponsor or with a reserved table. In the next few months, these sponsorships and reservations will become available. REMEMBER - All tables are on a first-come-first-served basis and beginning on their registration open date. No exceptions. Higher level sponsors have priority registration dates.

For additional information and details on what sponsorship levels entail, please call the Sausalito Parks and Recreation Department at 415-289-4152 or go to our website at www.jazzandbluesbythebay.com

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

MARIN LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION - NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY AND VOLUNTARILY GIVEN BY THE MARIN LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION (LAFCO) that on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. in the City of San Rafael Council Chambers located at 1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, California the agency will consider the following action:

Scope of Analysis for Countywide Water Municipal Service Review

This action – if approved – is to provide formal direction to staff in preparing a comprehensive study assessing the availability, demand, and performance of public water service in Marin County relative to current and future community needs and as provided under Government Code Section 56430. Affected agencies anticipated for study include Bolinas Public Utility District, Inverness Public Utility District, Marin Municipal Water District, Muir Beach Community Services District, North Marin Water District, and Stinson Beach County Water District. An associated staff report will be available for download at www.marinlafco.org approximately one week prior to the hearing date. You may also request a written copy of the associated staff report by contacting LAFCO at 415-446-4409.

PG&E URGES CUSTOMERS to keep metallic balloons secure for Valentine’s Day CelebrationsMetallic Balloons That Contact Electric Lines Can Cause Power Outages and Injuries
With Valentine’s Day festivities taking place next week, many customers will celebrate with helium-filled metallic balloons. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) urges customers to securely tie a weight to all metallic balloons containing helium to prevent them from floating away. Metallic balloons that contact overhead power lines can disrupt electric service to an entire neighborhood, cause significant property damage and potentially result in serious injuries.

Last year, metallic balloons that drifted into PG&E power lines caused more than 300 outages, affecting electric service to nearly 165,000 homes and businesses throughout Northern and Central California. Sometimes these outages interrupt electric service to important facilities such as hospitals, schools and traffic lights. A video detailing the damage that can result from metallic balloons coming into contact with power lines can be found at the following link. PG&E Mylar Balloon Safety<http://youtu.be/bP7W8gV7gmk>

The number of power outages caused by metallic balloons in PG&E’s service area has more than doubled over the past decade. In order to significantly reduce this number and to help ensure that everyone can safely enjoy their Valentine’s Day, PG&E reminds customers to follow these important safety tips for metallic balloons:

“Look Up and Live!” Use caution and avoid celebrating with metallic balloons near overhead electric lines.

Make sure helium-filled metallic balloons are securely tied to a weight that is heavy enough to prevent them from floating away. Never remove the weight.

When possible, keep metallic balloons indoors. Never permit metallic balloons to be released outside, for everyone’s safety.

Do not bundle metallic balloons together.

Never attempt to retrieve any type of balloon, kite or toy that becomes caught in a power line. Leave it alone, and immediately call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 to report the problem.

Never go near a power line that has fallen to the ground or is dangling in the air. Always assume downed electric lines are energized and extremely dangerous. Stay far away, keep others away and immediately call 911 to alert the police and fire departments.

The Sausalito Herring Festival will showcase food, beverages, information, and entertainment from the surrounding Richardson Bay. A food ticket will allow you to sample a variety of herring recipes prepared by some of The Bay Area's award-winning restaurants, while listening to local musicians including some special guests. A variety of beverages will be available. All food and beverage sales will go to benefit Cass Gidley Marina, a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization.

The Sausalito Herring Festival will include informational displays about herring, the fishery, sustainability, boating and the environment, with a focus on Richardson Bay. Celebrating the area's longstanding commitment to sustainable fishing and maritime culture, the festival will focus on the Pacific Herring, drawn straight from Richardson Bay. The Sausalito Herring Festival will have live chef demonstrations, food talks, sea stories, and more! The Festival takes place rain or shine.

Last year, the inaugural Sausalito Herring Festival was a surprising hit as more than 200 small plates of herring dishes from a variety of well-known Sausalito restaurants were served.

Sausalito Village - Monthly Meeting - February 12
Sausalito Village will feature a talk by Bruce Wrisley, author of The Seniors’ Housing Dilemma, Stay or Move at its monthly meeting at the Edgewater Room, Sausalito City Hall, 420 Litho Street, Sausalito, on Wednesday, February 12 at noon. He will offer resources and guidelines to help seniors and their families make smart informed decisions about housing. Participants are advised to bring a brown bag lunch. This program is open to the community and free of charge.

Bruce Wrisley is 85 and has two degrees in psychology: a Bachelor of Arts from Occidental College, and a Master of Arts from Stanford University. As a real estate broker in Marin County for 55 years (now retired), Wrisley has owned five companies, and is a past president of the Marin Association of Realtors. He has combined his education and experience to do “real estate counseling” with seniors for the last 25 years.

The Age-Friendly Sausalito Task Force is happy to report that nearly 1200 residents responded to the questionnaire that was released in November (and ended December 31, 2013). In the age group that is 65 and older, the response rate was a very impressive 50%! Special thanks to all of you who took the time to respond, especially those who provided insightful and interesting comments.

The next phases include assessing the findings, conducting focus groups and interviews to answer specific questions and finally developing a strategic plan for the City. If you are interested in participating in a focus group over the next two months, please write us at: agefriendlysausalito@gmail.com

Marin Access Catch-A-Ride allows eligible residents to receive a discount to ride taxis within Marin. Income is NOT a factor in eligibility. Currently, eligible residents of Marin County are allowed 8 discounted, one-way trips per month. The first $14 of each trip is free. To be considered eligible, you must be:

- A resident of Marin County
- At least 80 years old
- Or, At least 60 years old and unable to drive
- Or, already eligible for Paratransit

To determine if YOU are eligible, call 415-454-0902, or more information can be found at marinaccess.org.

Sausalito Woman’s Club 2014 Scholarship Applications Now Available
The Sausalito Woman’s Club Scholarship Recognition Fund (SWCSRF) is currently accepting scholarship applications for the 2014-2015 academic year. Completed applications are due by March 14, 2014.

To qualify, applicants must be permanent residents of Sausalito or Marin City (94965 zipcode) and planning to initiate or continue their education in the summer or fall semester, 2014 at an accredited college, graduate school, vocational or art school.